Hello! Are you new to OfficerCadet.com? Please register an account! It takes less than thirty seconds, and you'll have access to members-only areas, private messages and lots of other useful features.
Please note OfficerCadet.com uses cookies to gather information and enhance experience of the site. By browsing the site, you accept the use of these cookies.

Please note that this forum is for posting sensitive questions only. Questions that are not sensitive in nature will not be approved. For normal questions, please log in and use the appropriate Current or Aspiring Cadets forum. This prevents us having a mish-mash of topics in the anonymous forum which would be better suited elsewhere. Old threads, inactive for more than 2 weeks, will automatically close. Registering only takes a minute and is completely free!

Should I insist?

Basically, I am a Clyde marine cadet on tankers, now, I never ask Clyde for a thing, my grades are great my attendance is superb but they seem pretty crappy at times.
I am on tankers, which I enjoy but the college has a GASCO and TASCO course coming up. From what I was told (there was a mix up In college with regards to who was supposed to be enrolled) so the word was those with BP etc would be enrolled as too would those with an agency such as myself as we were on tankers.

So, upon finding my name missing from the list for the previous course I enquiried with my training manager only to find that I wouldnít be undergoing the course as it wasnít minimum requirement. Now I appreciate that this may come across rather bratty but quite frankly this could be my future, surely with the huge drop in pay while at sea theyíve saved sufficient coffers to fund the odd TASCO/GASCO course? I have a friend on the course with V-Ships through MEF all he did was contacted MEF and got on it instantly, he hasnít sailed on/plans to sail on a tanker.

Now for the questions,
1. Will not having this certificate effect me with regards to finding work? I would like to stay on tankers.
2. Are there any other ways to find funding for said course?
3. Am I being dramatic?

Just want to thank you all for your help and advice, I think my plan will be to build myself with some statistics, and reasons why I should be allowed to do the course and see if that changes their mind.
As for paying the course myself although that could be possible itís very improbable, cadet salaries let alone Clyde salaries make doing such rather difficult but o will politely asking again with a bit more information to support my case. Thanks guys

Not a tanker wanker, but this is exactly what I've been banging on about. From my mates in tankers this is an absolute prerequisite, and you would be sent on it straight after college if you worked for Shell/BP etc. Having this may dramatically improve your chances of employment post cadetship. We've found the same thing as SSTG cadets who haven't done things like crisis management and designated security duties.

If you don't ask you don't get.

There's always different ways of asking of course. Be polite and amiable at all times, but make sure you leave your training manager with no doubt that you are in control of your training as far as possible. After all, it is your future, so grip it. Maybe ring the course provider to see if there are spaces, and what the cost is before you talk to your manager, if they wont budge suggest you pay a chunk. Worst case offer to take it off your wages.

Thank you for your quick reply! So just so I donít come across as an absolute spoilt brat I am within my rights to politely insist? Iíve had no issues with Clyde what so ever until now, quite honestly if theyíre happy to take me on they should allow me to train to an acceptable level for the vessels theyíve put me on. I feel pretty alone at the minute, itís rather daunting knowing the jobs market isnít great and on top of that theyíre happy to realise me into it ill equipped

Well you can't 'insist' on anything that is outside your contract. You're learning lesson one of the shipping industry, everyone is only in it to make money.
But put your argument to your training manager and ask nicely, be persuasive and show you're keen to do well in a future career in tankers.

Eventually it will start to reflect badly on the companies who, as you say, release us into the over saturated jobs market, ill equipped to find work. Only then might it get through to them that creating a better product is going to be better for business.

I had a similar situation. I did my cadetship on container ships through SSTG. Mid first sea phase I discovered the two cadets I was sailing with (who were at a different college) had been put through tanker fam as the college they were at put every single cadet though it. My college only put tanker cadets on it. I e-mailed SSTG to ask if I could do it to help with future job prospects and they (politely) told me where to go. Tough luck basically. Never did get it.

Incidentally since qualifying and sailing with a number of people who have worked on tankers, and a couple of friends who still do, I have realised I have absolutely no desire to work in that side of the industry, so I am no longer bothered. Having said that when I was mid cadetship with a company that don't employ British officers and concerned about future job prospects it did annoy me!

Advanced Tanker (Gasco etc) is required only if you are the officer in charge of cargo operations?

Basic DCE requires either a course of study or seatime, both need tanker FF. Basic is vailid for responsibilities relating to cargo carrying.
Though the MCA says "It is unlikely that a Deck Officer serving on a tanker will not have duties requiring the completion of the advanced tanker training. If
you do not obtain an Advanced Tanker Endorsement Port or Flag State Control Officers may challenge this."

Advanced needs Basic + seatime + course. This is needed if you are in charge of cargo operations.